Quotations

Comment on the following quotations from the Belarus President’s speeches. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons to support your opinion.

1. “The use of the latest technologies, priority development of science-intensive branches, import-substituting and export-oriented productions are the main avenues Belarus will move along” (March 3, 2006)

2. “Belarus has been growing much faster in resent years comparing to the CIS and EU countries. However, it is only innovation in all spheres that can ensure further progress. Facilitating innovation, upgrading production and improving labor efficiency are the main targets for the future ” (May 23, 2006 )

3. “ It is in small towns and villages that we see enormous unexploited potential for the development of the country” (November 23, 2006)

4. “In terms of universal cooperation Belarus is very promising a country. We have no foreign debts, we have low inflation, we have- this is very important- diligent people; the economy functions intensively; we manufacture competitive goods. We are always able to earn money for the budget ” (January 22, 2007)

5. “Today it is the West, the EU that occupy the first place in trade and economic cooperation with Belarus, then goes Russia. We have deliberately sought not to be dependent on one country and we have been honest about it when diversifying our foreign policy and economy ” (April 24, 2007)

6. “It is only by joint efforts and discipline that the Belarusian people can ensure economic security of the state, progress and prosperity of our independent Belarus” (June 14, 2007)

7. “The world financial and economic crisis teaches us to act quickly. It is important that having assumed such a great responsibility we should not slow down the process of economic integration but should demonstrate cohesive and well coordinated work ”(November 27, 2009)